History/description: Competing with models like the Pilot, Explorer and Durango, Nissan’s three-row, four-wheel-drive, six-cylinder Pathfinder offered an award-winning cabin, standard V6, a smooth and fuel-saving CVT transmission and nothing short of the latest in Nissan safety and convenience content.

Most used models will run a 3.5-litre, 260-horsepower V6, with output climbing to 284 horsepower from 2014 onward. Note that 2014 and newer models also got a slight facelift and refresh, adding revised looks and feature content. Nissan’s XTronic CVT transmission was installed to all models.

What owners like: Good-for-its-size manoeuvrability, decent fuel consumption, a powerful and responsive engine and transmission combination, seamless power delivery, a slick parking system, and a generous list of family-friendly features are commonly praised. Most owners say the cabin is roomy and flexible enough to handle virtually any task with little second thought, and many report that the ride is comfortable and long-haul ready.

What owners dislike: Some owners wish the power tailgate was faster to open and close, and others wish for a tougher and more durable feel to the ride on rougher surfaces. Finally, though Pathfinder’s rear-row seating was generous by three-row crossover standards, larger occupants will wish for more space.

The test drive: As the oldest used Pathfinder from this generation on the used market is no more than five years old, shoppers should have little trouble finding a lower-mileage unit that’s still in warranty, though a few tips and checks should be kept close to mind during the test-drive process.

First, for several reasons, the transmission in the Pathfinder you’re considering might exhibit trouble signs like clunking, poor performance, failure to respond to throttle inputs, strange noises, and harsh operation.

Causes may include a bad transmission valve body, or corrupted transmission control software. Note that most Pathfinder owners do not report transmission issues, but should you experience any, work with a dealer to confirm that all software updates and revised parts available for the unit you’re considering are up to date.

Depending on the year and mileage, the Pathfinder you’re considering may have had, or may qualify for, updated parts, updated software, and even an extended transmission warranty. Talk to a Nissan service advisor about any concerns, with the used model’s VIN number in hand.

Further, owners are advised to have the CVT transmission fluid changed at or before the interval specified under ‘severe’ use in the owner’s manual, and to only have the work performed at a Nissan dealer, since the fluid change procedure, and fluid itself, is highly specific.

Look for signs of wonky parking sensors evidenced by a warning message in the instrument cluster. If clearing snow or debris from the sensors on the body doesn’t fix the issue, have a technician investigate.

Be aware that sluggish acceleration, or a ‘dead’ throttle pedal, may be caused by a bad brake light relay, which may falsely register brake pedal application and trip the throttle cut-off system as a safety precaution.

Basically, simultaneous brake and throttle application kills the throttle pedal, and if the brake switch relay is bad, the computer may see a brake input, even if they’re not applied, and massively cut engine power. This isn’t a hugely difficult issue to remedy, but it’s worth being aware of.

Work the motorized tailgate (if equipped), several times, on the course of your test-drive. Any failure to open or close fully, or any unintended reversal in direction, can likely be fixed by resetting the power tailgate system, adjusting the latch, or through some recalibrating.

Have a mechanic check for a not-uncommon transfer case leak, reported by owners of certain Pathfinder units. The cause, apparently, is a bad seal, which will need to be replaced if fluid leakage is detected.

Confirm that the Pathfinder’s climate control system pipes hot air into the cabin when the heat is cranked up. Poor heating system performance could be the result of a bad damper within the climate control system, a bad thermostat, or a clogged cabin air filter.

Premature failure of the Pathfinder’s radiator fans is a relatively rare but pricey problem, so confirm that these work, with the help of a mechanic, and that they’re not making any unwelcome noises when engaged. Apparently, a bad bearing in the electric motors on some units is to blame.

The verdict: If a simple pre-purchase inspection comes back with a thumbs-up, Pathfinder should prove a fairly confident, comfortable and flexible family hauler, though older units with higher miles may be a good candidate for any available extended warranty coverage.